Chapter 17 — Silent Bonds
The afternoon sun slipped through the broken clouds, casting a soft, warm light over the Academy grounds.
Yuta sat alone by the fountain, the water quietly splashing behind him.
He stared blankly at the ground, lost in a haze of sorrow.
Footsteps approached — soft, deliberate.
Synoh sat down beside him without a word.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
The silence wasn't heavy. It was understanding. It was... shared.
Finally, Synoh said quietly,
"Yuta... it's okay."
Yuta's hands clenched into fists.
"Is it?!" he snapped — then immediately looked guilty.
He lowered his head again.
Synoh shook his head slowly.
"Lux didn't mean to hurt you. Neither did I."
He leaned back, looking at the sky.
"I know what it's like... losing someone who meant everything to you."
Yuta glanced at him, surprised.
Synoh smiled faintly, almost sadly.
"Fel... he was more than just a companion. He was family. I almost lost him once too. And it broke me."
Yuta's lip trembled, but he didn't cry. Not anymore.
"We can't go back," Synoh continued.
"But we can make sure... their deaths aren't wasted."
Slowly, Yuta nodded.
---
Later, in the training field, Lux was sitting alone on a bench, head down, lost in his own guilt.
Synoh and Yuta quietly joined him.
The three of them just sat there — no words, no explanations.
Just... together.
They didn't need to talk.
Their presence said everything:
"I'm here."
"You're not alone."
From a distance, Edward and Mina watched them.
Mina sighed, crossing her arms.
"They've really changed... haven't they?"
Edward snorted.
"Tch. Bunch of idiots sitting together looking like kicked puppies."
But even as he spoke, his eyes softened slightly.
---
Edward's Private Talk with Synoh
Later that evening, as Synoh was walking back toward the dorms, Edward called out from behind a tree.
"Oi. Dumb wolf boy."
Synoh turned, raising an eyebrow.
Edward clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"...I'm only saying this once," Edward muttered, scratching the back of his head.
"Lux is an idiot. He always blames himself for everything."
Synoh smiled a little.
"You're worried about him, aren't you?"
Edward looked like he swallowed a bug.
"I'm not worried!" he barked.
"I just... don't want him turning into some mopey loser like Yuta."
Synoh just chuckled.
Edward stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"You're his friend too now. So... watch his back, idiot."
Synoh nodded seriously.
"I will. And you too, Edward."
Edward flinched back like he'd been punched.
"I'm not your friend!!" he yelled, storming away.
Synoh laughed quietly, watching him go.
"Even idiots can have kind hearts," Synoh thought.
---
End of Chapter 17